Gathered AND Scattered

I love this image.

I love it because the image of the two rails can be used to illustrate the power of the AND. It is not always either this OR that. It can often be this AND that.

What this reveals is that there are often tensions that we must manage in life. Tension sounds bad because sometimes it is. But tension can also be a good thing. Without tension, for example, a guitar string will not vibrate a note. We manage that tension when we tune that string.

Today I am thinking a lot about the local church.

When I say "church", I am not referring to the cultural definition of the place where people gather. Instead, I am referring to the biblical definition of the Church as in the people of God i.e. those who trust and follow Jesus Christ.

This tension we manage between being the Church gathered and being the Church scattered is an acknowledgment that we are to be in this world as fellow humans but not "of" this world as in surrendered to it. As God's people, we surrender ultimately to him alone.

So as we learn how to "do church" in this transition to the new normal, we can no longer gather in an auditorium, cathedral or traditional church building. We now must meet virtually either by watching a live service from an empty room or by gathering virtually in a Zoom room.

I often say to our people in our church at the end of a worship service that we didn't come to church but that we are the church and that as we leave let's go be the church where we live, work/learn and play.

Someone pointed out to me that what is cool about this is that we are now gathering where we are scattered. (Thanks, Chris Karpus) In a sense, we are doing both at the same time. We are gathering virtually from where we are scattered (which is literally where most of us live, work and play now).

This is a unique experience. One I hope we fully embrace.

Revival and Harvest

I started today in Luke 3 and then on our daily prayer call. Here are a couple of thoughts in light of those as well as an article I read last night that is helping me process how to “Do church” going forward.  

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Revival and Harvest

In Luke 3 we get John the Baptist being “activated” for ministry. (Sorry, I’m a recovering Trekkie) “The word of God came to John...in the wilderness.” He was there preparing and waiting on the Lord to release him. This is when that happens.  

“He went into all the country...preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (3:3) 

God sent him out from his personal retreat and revival into the harvest where he would "show and tell" the good news that the kingdom of God was coming. He was preparing the way for the King to come. 

Luke then quotes the prophet Isaiah who wrote around 700 years earlier about the one who would prepare the way (John) so that, “All people will see God’s salvation.” (3:6) 

Salvation comes when God’s people "show and tell" his story and his glory to our neighbors. This is our calling: to multiply disciple-makers (xDM) around the corner and around the world.  

Prayer: Oh Lord, revive our hearts so that we see our neighbors as you do and are moved by compassion to reach out to them with the love of Christ.  

Doing Church

It has become clear to me that not only do we have to change the way we “do church” going forward but that we will not go back to the way things were when the viral dust settles.  

And that will be a good thing. 

This article on Carey Nieuwhof’s blog is a great inspiration to brainstorming how our gathering(s) might change. https://careynieuwhof.com/8-ways-to-lead-in-the-new-digital-default-church/ 

One principle that was not in the article, but worth thinking through, is the need to think like the early (first century) church. They had overwhelming needs as the Jesus movement grew exponentially. In addition, they were inundated by the poor. There were wealthy people coming to Christ too, as God sovereignly provided for the early church financially. But think about the lack of real healthcare. So they learned to turn to God for healing. And he healed. Some lost everything (financially, socially, religiously) when they trusted the Lord and were baptized. They turned to God for provision. And he provided for them too.  

This speaks to our methods too. They did not have the means to communicate on a large scale. So how did the early church grow?  

Word of mouth. They talked to the people in their personal networks. They talked to people where they lived, worked and played. They talked to people in their circle of influence. They communicated using what they already had—their social networks.  

For them, it was speaking. For us, it is speaking and/or writing using a variety of tools and means to do so.  

The key was that they spoke. They played “show and tell” with the world. 

And so must we. 

We must share the good news that this world is broken and hopeless apart from faith in a Creator-Savior-King who is making all things new and will come back to complete that one day. We must share the good news that he’s making things new every day. 

Why don’t we do this more? Because our heart is not completely full of compassion for our neighbors yet. This is where revival comes in.  

Revival is for God’s people who do not have his full heart for the lost yet. So we pray and ask God to revive us—to wake us up. 

Then we speak into the harvest.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. -Jesus, Luke 10:2 NIV

Coronavirus: How should I respond?

A thought. A verse. A prayer.
#coronavirus #faith #peace

Every day brings more gloom and doom over the Coronavirus pandemic. Even in the faith community we find a wide range of reactions to the current news cycle.

 In America, it seems that there are two common reactions:

1) Alarming and dramatic responses that include runs on toilet paper and the cancelation of major sports events, and
2) Business as usual with little concern or awareness that this virus is a serious threat.

What should we do?
How should we respond?

Can I make a few suggestions?

1. Pray. It seems like we only go here when we do not know what else to do. But it is actually where we should start. When we start with God, we think about things from a more eternal perspective. This is always a healthier place to think from. Are you praying as if it all depended on God?

2. Study. Studying is reading with a pen in your hand. It is concentrated research that results in potential actions. Whether you are watching an interview on YouTube or reading the USA Today website, you should be reading with a researcher’s mentality. Research multiple sources. Read critically and with discernment.

3. Agendas. Keep in mind that those who are sharing information are doing so for a variety of reasons and motives that affect what information they share and how they share it. Be discerning and thoughtful as you take it in.

4. Reserve judgment. It is so easy to react instead of respond. Reacting is like a reflex. There is a time for that but usually we have time to contemplate, process and then to respond thoughtfully. Remember too that inaction is still a response.

5. Explore the extremes: Is everyone overreacting? Maybe they are. What are the downsides of this? Am I contributing to panic or waking people up to a sobering reality few are taking seriously enough? Remember that the press has access to a lot of information. They are also in a hurry to get it out. Are they cross-checking their sources? Remember also that their reason for existing is to turn a profit. That happens when people tune-in or click on a link because it generates advertising revenue. Could this cloud their judgment?

6. Explore the extremes: Am I not taking this seriously enough? Is there any harm in preparing? Even if this is being politicized, does that mean I should not be paying more attention to what could be happening? What are some simple steps I could take to prepare now while it is still easy to do?

7. Prepare. Are you preparing as if it all depended on you? What if God wants to answer your prayers in part through your preparation? Can you prepare in such a way that your preparation is helpful for a number of different possible disasters? Would that be wise?

8. Believe. How does my faith hold up to this? Does this cause me to doubt what I say I believe about God? Do I find myself in a crisis of faith? How does the gospel apply here?

9. Love your neighbor as yourself. Are you thinking about others—beyond yourself? Are you preparing with those in mind who cannot or will not prepare? Is compassion even on your radar?

The verse that came to mind for me today was of Jesus sharing with his disciples how to respond to his earth-shattering news that one of them would betray him and that he would be killed and then rise from the dead on the third day.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -Jesus, on the night he was betrayed and arrested

‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.14.27.niv

Paul gives us more wise counsel,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/php.4.6-7.niv

A Prayer

Lord, we come to you needy of your peace—that peace that transcends all understanding. Give us a confident belief that nothing has ever surprised you and that you are in control even now.

Give us a peace that is content in you whether things straighten out or continue sideways. Help us remember that in the end, you hold it all together for those who know and trust you through Jesus Christ.

Flood our hearts with your peace! Guide us with your wisdom! Help us rest with all our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual weight on You! In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.

Preparing for Suffering: Rhythms for Success

As I pray about what God wants us to focus on as a church next year, I find myself settling in on one word. 

Rhythms. 

Despite the on-going spelling challenge, I continue to grow in my appreciation for this word and for those who introduced it into my vocabulary. (Mike Breen, Caesar Kalinowski, Seth McBee, Jeff Vanderstelt, and many others from these Missional Community tribes)

My wife thought this word was a bit awkward to use, at first. If you agree, think of them as habits, practices, or even...systems. *gasp*

Most rhythms I think of are spiritual disciplines. But I do not know of too many people talking about rhythms that prepare us for one thing in particular.

Suffering. 

I mean, who wants to intentionally prepare for that? Nobody, right? Who wants to preach that sermon series?

And, yet, would it not be wise to?

As I think about the direction America is heading in and the growing hostility towards Christians who take the word of God seriously (read: authoritative), we would be foolish not to ask ourselves: "Are we preparing our children and grandchildren adequately for what's coming?"

It is with this in mind that I offer a few thoughts as I noodle over this in late 2019...

Preparation rhythms— 

How do we prepare families for future persecution with respect to suffering and self-discipline?

In addition to the basic discipleship rhythms of daily, prayerful Bible reading, some additional but less obvious thoughts include...

We don’t go looking for persecution, but…

1. Neither do we avoid doing or saying things that might bring it on,
2. We embrace suffering and persecution when it does come our way as if from God (Romans 8:28),
3. Discipline ourselves by practicing denying ourselves things we like but do not always need (ex. Fasting food, drink, sleep, comforts, hobbies, ease; practice silence, solitude)
4. Remember the sense of purpose and urgency Jesus lived with; he did rush around nor did not get caught up in “civilian affairs” (Paul’s words)

Consider what periodic rhythms you might add into your life in the coming year that would help prepare you for suffering and persecution. Then consider how you might lead others to do the same. (2 Timothy 2:2)

One final thought on all of this is to basically practice the rhythms we see Jesus teaching and practicing himself. These are also evident (though sometimes subtle) in the lives of the  Apostles and early Church leaders. (See Acts and letters) 

One that stands out, in particular, I'm learning from Mike Breen. It's a rhythm of retreat and engagement. Basically, it is retreating to prayer, word and remembering the Gospel message and then re-entering the mission field where we are engaging the forces of evil supernaturally as his presence resides in us. 

Stand Firm in your Freedom in Christ

Rules. 

Performance. 

It’s a love-hate relationship for me.

I sometimes love rules because they make it easier for me to judge others (horrifying, I know, right). And they make it easier for me to be hard on myself too (another hobby of mine).

Rules are great because I can measure how I am doing compared to others. Sometimes this means I’m patting myself on the back or at other times criticizing myself. 

This is also why I hate rules.

There’s a lot of “self” thought and attention going on in those paragraphs. Not a good place to be. I find myself back in a cage forgetting who I am in Christ.

The problem is there’s no freedom in this way of life. This is being enslaved to what others think about me (idol of Approval). That’s a performance mindset. If I perform well, others will love me. Trap! 

Jesus died to set us free from such traps and cages. 

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

The good news is that you don’t have to stay in the trap. There’s a way out! Faith in Jesus sets us free!

Lord, set me free from the mindset and lies that entrap me to believe that I’ll be happier or that you will love me more if I perform or follow rules. 

Forgive me for living in the cage again. Help me trust you and walk out of that cage today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Amazing stories of people who overcame.

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"If you have a pulse, you have a purpose."